Iconic Upper East Side restaurant Amaranth continues to thrive – even after 15 years in the business. Owners Paola Pedrignani and Francois Marchand, who recently marked the Mediterranean Bistro’s Anniversary with a glamorous celebration for over 500 of their most loyal customers, attribute its long-running success to “staying true to their Mediterranean roots and never compromising on quality.”

Located just off Madison Avenue on 62nd Street, between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, Amaranth offers a fusion of original Italian food and French food, with a large portion of specialty items imported directly from Italy and France. “We’re renowned for our classics, like our famous Focaccia Robiola, baked in our brick oven and served with Robiola cheese – there would be an outcry if we took this off the menu! But we also constantly evolve,” says owner Francois Marchand. Other fixtures on the menu include the Steak Tartare, which is prepared in front of customers to ensure freshness and the right balance of spices, and the Octopus Carpaccio – fresh, quality seafood from the Mediterranean served on a bed of greens.

There are also a number of healthy, light choices served with the highest quality ingredients – like the Whole Maine Lobster Salad, served with radicchio, endive, arugula, cremini mushrooms and citrus vinaigrette. The Pan Seared Nantucket Sea Scallops with mushrooms, braised leeks and lemon white wine sauce always impresses. Amaranth’s pastas are homemade and are available whole wheat and gluten free. The dessert menu is hard to resist – from the Mille Feuille Napolean with mixed berries and crème anglaise to the Cantucci al Vin Santo – a homemade biscotti served with Vin Santo Wine for dipping.

Amaranth is named after the deep red-rose colored flowers of the Amaranth plant, owner Paola Pedrignani says. “The deep, wine red color is warm and welcoming – we thought it represents the way our restaurant feels brilliantly.” Customers come to Amaranth for the full dining experience – excellent service, elegant décor, and the casual, home-away-from-home feel.

The restaurant’s charm has attracted a dedicated fan base of New Yorkers, Europeans, and celebrity clientele including the late Joan Rivers, Miranda Kerr, Orlando Bloom, former president of France Nicolas Sarkozy, and many more. Regular visitors, Kevin O’Sullivan and partner Jim, who held the first New York State same-sex marriage at Amaranth on October 6, 2011, say they hold Amaranth in very high regard for “terrific service and wonderful food”. “It holds a very special place in our hearts – our wedding was one of the happiest days of our lives and the restaurant always reminds of that day,” says O’Sullivan.

The restaurant has a charming terrace in the warmer months, perfect for cocktails and small tasting plates, and an ambient, glowing dining room for the colder months. Amaranth boasts an excellent cocktail list, including the famous Frozen Cosmo, and a well-balanced wine list featuring French, Italian and American wines to suit any price range.

Amaranth is also the perfect place to hold private parties and special celebrations. The team can organize private sit-down dinners and cocktail parties, with a special menu personalized by the chef. Amaranth staff love celebrating birthdays with customers. With sparkler candles and delicious Valona Chocolate Cake, a birthday celebration at Amaranth will always be an unforgettable one.

Affordable and fabulous. Oh the Focaccia Robiola. Good Service. Great bar.

Chef Philippe is also available to cater private parties and/or prepare to-go dinners for any special event, at your home, boat or on the beach.

Capacity: Dining Room (250) | Private Wine Cellar (26)

Hours of Operation:Lunch

Monday through Saturday: 12:00PM – 4:00PM

Dinner

Monday through Saturday: 6:00PM – 12:00AM

Sunday:

Since opening in December 2005, Philippe Chow New York City continues to attract the who’s-who of Hollywood and social set – frequented by such names as Anne Hathaway, Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Robert De Niro, Oprah, and Lady Gaga – headed by Executive Chef Philippe Chow.

The Chic modern design meets with a signature color palette of black, white and red in the dining room and bar; for a more intimate setting, the private cellar and two private rooms are an ideal setting for any fête. Plush banquettes and intimate booths lend an air of opulence, as the glow from flickering candles and overhead skylights set the tone for a luxe dining experience.

Service is surprisingly warm,efficient and guiding, and has improved since Steve Boxer entered the scene. The menu offers a selection of main dishes meant to be shared by two people (many of them can be ordered in1/2 portions, but not the superlative Peking duck with its light-as-a-feather handkerchief-pancakes or a whole steamed fish of the day.

Creative noodles and dumplings are a specialty at Philippe. Each night at about 9 p.m. in the restaurant’s dining room, Noodle and Pastry Chef conducts a live demonstration for making hand-pulled noodles. Philippe’s menu features no less than eight variations of either steamed or stir-fried dumplings and Cheng’s specialty, hand-made noodles with pork or veal bean sauce (like a Bolognaise).

A haute flair on classic Chinese cuisine, Chef Philippe has crafted a menu complete with signature-favorites. We enjoyed an assortment of steamed dumplings, including Jade dumplings with shrimp and water chestnuts, crabmeat soup dumplings, sieu mai of pork and black mushrooms and vegetable dumplings. All were paragons of freshness and avoided the all too common NY Chinese trait of gumminess. PORK/SHRIMP FRIED RICE was creatively presented in a tall urn and was another standout, as were terrific sautéed green beans.

Entrees range from nine seasons spicy prawns, drunken sea bass served in white wine, the aforementioned Peking duck, crispy beef that is to die for and a delightful combination of green prawns with cashew nuts, water chestnuts, peppers and black mushrooms. Best of all and obligatory are RED KING CRABS (2.5 – 3lbs) in garlic/butter sauce. They can be shared by 3 or 4 people and are so good that you will never want lobster again.

Other Signature Dishes include Chicken Satay, skewers prepared in Chef Philippe’s famous cream sauce, crispy Peking Chicken, fresh and juicy Maine Lobster and Spring Rolls. Philippe also offers a multi-course tasting menu at dinner that must be ordered by a minimum of six persons. The best dessert is without doubt the fine house-made sorbets and fresh fruit.

Meta

Dublin in NYC! We love this place. Noel proves that the Irish own the hospitality industry. The food is actually carefully prepared and delicious. Certainly the best chicken pot pie in town. Burgers are perfect. Oysters sparkle and while not inspired by Manhattan, the corned beef sandwich is fan. (It also shows up as a … Continue reading →

Mozzarella & Vino is located at the former Il Gattopardo space, at 33 west 54th Street. Patrons are very excited with its rustic interior and the amazing ingredients. Chef Vito Gnazzo is responsible for the mouthwatering menu that reflects the simplicity of authentic Italian ingredients, with a heavy emphasis on the Mozzarella di bufala Campana, Italian […]

THE GRILL is a historically based American chophouse set in midcentury New York. It takes great inspiration from history. Both the time the Seagram Building was built and the restaurants that existed at that time. It is the precursor to the NY Steakhouse, when things were still intricate and elegant. Always a favorite, The Grill-Room … Continue reading →

Best of New York: Dining Guide for Mother’s Day 2016 MAMO Restaurant Treat Mom to the best of SoHo dining at MAMO Restaurant. This French/Italian Provencal menu from Michelin-starred Executive Chef Massimo Sola hits all the right notes. Mother’s Day Specials include Salmon Carpaccio with Asparagus Salad and Burrata, Risotto Primavera with Diced Vegetables […]

Each summer, the villages which make up the Hamptons, such as Southampton, Bridgehampton, Amagansett, East Hampton and Montauk to name a few, becomes one of the hottest destinations to visit. Celebrities and socialites escape from New York City to Long Island’s East End to take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy some of the best … Continue reading →

Montenegrin wine maker is poised to become a sensation state-side. June 26, 2015, New York, NY — Discerning palates in the United States will now be able to sample the outstanding Montenegrin wines that have rest of the world talking. Radevic Estates is pleased to announce that their wines are now available in New York. … Continue reading →

Located in the heart of Southampton, the Southampton Inn’s envious location offers guests a gateway to the best the Hamptons summer season has to offer this 2015. With 90 newly renovated guest rooms, on-site dining, outdoor recreation, and connections to all the most popular activities on the East End, the Southampton Inn is the ultimate … Continue reading → […]

Lovers of nieuwe maatjes herring imported from the Netherlands can finally celebrate the arrival of the delicacy this Thursday (June 18). The Grand Central Oyster Bar‘s annual Holland Herring Festival was delayed a week, and will finally get underway on Thursday. The first-tasting ceremony, now in its 35th year, will begin at 12:00 noon. This … Continue read […]